At last year's NBAA Convention in Las Vegas, Boeing Business
Jets president Steve Hill stuck his neck out—or maybe put it on the block—when
he predicted 100 BBJ sales by the time we gathered a year hence. Fortune favors
the brave, for Hill is back to boast no fewer than 102 orders now in the bag.
These break down as 83 in current service; five undergoing
completion; and the balance on order, for a total of 61 current, or 69 future
operators. Of these, 89 aircraft are BBJs (737-700s) and 13 are the longer BBJ2
or 737-800. North America has 35% of the customers, while the Middle East comes
next with 26%, followed by Europe, Asia/Pacific, Africa and Latin America. Of
interest is that 40% of customers are private individuals.
Looking to the future, Hill believes the Boeing 787
Dreamliner will make "a terrific VIP jet," as do, apparently, "six or seven"
undisclosed persons or organizations who have made preliminary enquiries. With
2,300 sq ft of cabin area—more than double that of the BBJ2—the 787 could carry
75 passengers nonstop anywhere in the world. —Paul
Jackson
